This set of linked stories is a prequel of sorts, relating StingRay's origin story. ( )

Alternate title: Toys With Existential Angst. I do like this one lots better than the second one, but it's not as brilliant as the first. Learning about where all the toys came from was a lot of fun. I should have guessed that Sheep was an heirloom. I thought Lumphy was a little whiny here, but maybe it was his inexperience that made him so. Which is to say, why yes, I do believe I'm invested in these characters. ( )

I recently discovered an amazing video online (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKVcQnyEIT8&feature=youtu.be) that reminded me of all of the wonderful books I've read where toys come alive and have fun when no one is looking. The video also reminded me that Toys Come Home -- the third book of a series that began with the wonderful Toys Go Out -- is available, so I reserved it from the library. We absolutely loved the other two books and the author's both touching and hilarious writing style, so we unanimously and enthusiastically decided this would be our next read aloud. My girls, at 10 and almost 13, are older than the target audience (6-9) of the book, yet still gave themselves completely into the hands of the author, laughing helplessly over the antics, musings, friendship, and bravery of characters who are now like old friends. We all agreed that this book is proof that books and reading are magic, magic, magic. Toys Come Home tells the story of the beloved toys from Toys Go Out and Toy Dance Party, including how they came to live in the Girl’s room, and how they came to be friends. If you have not discovered these books, I urge you to read them, but I have to warn you that I’m pretty sure a lot of the magic comes from reading them aloud. If there is a child in your life, you both are in for a treat. If not, I still think you should read these books aloud -- to an old teddy bear (he will love them), or even your towel (towels are wise and patient, and when folded and stacked in a linen closet, will sing old folk songs together).

Curriculum: Great mentor text for point of view. What would your toys say if they wrote YOUR story?

Jenkins, E. & Zelinsky, P. (2011). Toys come home. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.